(MONEY Magazine) – "The first thing we did was take off the carport," says Bend, Ore. architect Scott Gilbride of the 1950s split-level special that he and his wife Charlotte gutted and renovated in seven months. A smart start, indeed. Acting as their own general contractors and even doing demo work themselves, they added a new living room and front entrance to the 2,200-square-foot house, turned the old living room into a master bedroom, converted the unfinished lower level into a guest suite, doubled the size of the kitchen and created a to-die-for playroom for their two children in what would've been unused attic space. "We wanted our house to be the place everyone wants to come to," says Scott of what is now a 3,300-square-foot house with four bedrooms, four baths and sweet views of the Cascade Mountains foothills. Be careful what you wish for: Guests may not want to leave.

Architect: Scott H. Gilbride/Architect Inc., Bend, Ore.